Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School recently handed out its Parents’ Association Challenge Awards to students from the school. Every year the Parents’ Association invites students to apply for a grant to assist them in undertaking a project during the holidays (independently of the school) of educational value which requires initiative and has an element of challenge. The funding for this comes from the many activities organised by the Parents’ Association and the awards were handed out this year by Rebecca Coleman.

This year’s recipients are carrying out a wide variety of projects and challenges including: a musical tour of Spain, a PADI diving course, work experience at the UN as well as two students setting up their own sportswear business.

Our form, 9H, produced an anthology to raise money for the Boston branch of Macmillan Cancer Support. In just over two months, the year 9 group wrote and published a collection of short stories on the theme of love in Ms Dale’s English lessons and during homework time. The cost of publication was funded by the PTA and the anthology was printed by the local firm, dpsdigital.co.uk.

When asked about the designing of the cover, Jess Yorkshire, explained, “We were each given a section and a deadline to complete our chosen interpretation of love.” The front cover of the book is filled with intricate designs to reflect on the diverse and thought-provoking collection of short stories.

It wasn’t a simple process, with countless numbers of drafts and endless peer assessing in order to make our stories fit for publication. However, it is clear that this labour paid off, as we are now able to sell the work for a good cause.

So far we have raised around £350 and copies are still available at a cost of £5.